Ode to the I-80

You are the road
That leads me home
No matter which way I go.

To head west,
To follow you all the way
To the Pacific Coast,
Is to follow you back
To my past,
To lost peace.
You lead me to what I lost
And what I'll never have again,
Though if I had the time,
You could lead me
To something new
Out of the old I buried there.

You are the road
That leads me home
No matter which way I go.

To drive east,
To follow you to the lakes,
To what feels north,
Is to follow you ahead,
To the future,
To loves yet undiscovered.
You lead me to friends still forged
And lived to be learned,
Though I am mainly taught the past.
You could lead me
To something ancient
Buried in sights still unseen.

You are the road
That leads me home
No matter which way I go.

Whether east or west,
To follow you to the fields,
To lands between,
Is to follow you constantly,
To family,
To a place I am always welcome.
You lead me to hearthfires, beds,
And meals kept warm just for me,
Though I cannot stay.
You could never lead me
To something permanent
For I buried that chance long ago.

You are the road
That leads me home
No matter which way I go.
I will follow you through
Snow and wind and rain.
I am always waiting,
Always yearning,
To travel your paths again.